Electric vehicles are catching on across the country, but they’re an entirely different beast than the gasoline or diesel engines most drivers are used to. Even though EV batteries last a long time, they still require maintenance like any other engine. Here’s how to take care of your electric car’s battery.
EV Battery Life
Like all batteries, the EV model in your car will wear down over time. It’s no different than needing a new engine after so many years or so many miles. However, they do last an incredibly long time. Several models can pass the 100,000-mile marker with ease and even the earliest models still have an excellent state of health.
Unlike gasoline engines, how much you use the car doesn’t affect battery performance. Instead, you can expect your battery to degrade by 10% every five to six years. If you happen to see a higher percentage decrease, lean back on the incredible warranties these batteries come with.
You should still perform regular maintenance on the EV battery, though. Lack of care for any type of rechargeable battery can lead to dangerous conditions and the need for a wrongful death law firm. Outside of taking your car for regular checkups, you can also use the following tips to extend the life of your battery.
Only Rapid Charge When You Need To
Rapid charging is the fastest way to replenish your battery and can come in handy when you’re on the fly, but it’s important to use regular chargers as well. Constantly relying on rapid chargers will shorten the lifespan of your EV battery.
It’s perfectly fine to use rapid charging stations when you need to do so, but make sure you have a dedicated regular charger at home for overnight use. This one tip is guaranteed to help you get the most use out of your car’s battery.
Keep the Charge Between 20 to 80%
Allowing your battery to fully deplete is never a good idea. Neither is trying to keep it at a constant full charge. The goal is to keep the charge between 20% and 80%. If your vehicle has limiters in place, set them it to these parameters to help extend the battery’s lifespan. That includes home charging.
You Only Need a Full Charge for Long Trips
Most commutes are more than covered in the range above, but you’ll probably need some extra juice for longer trips. The majority of electric cars utilize their GPS system to let you know if you can reach your destination on the current charge level. So, only go past 80% when you absolutely need to.
Make Sure You Regularly Drive the Car
Just like any other type of engine, you don’t want to let yours sit for extended periods of time without use. Whether you’re working from home or are currently impacted by the pandemic, take your car out for short drives every couple of days.
If you can’t find the time for short drives, then simply move it from one parking spot to another. This will give the battery a little use and make sure you don’t end up with flat spots on the tires. As long as you’re starting up the battery and allowing all the working parts to move, you’ll help extend the EV’s lifespan.
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